The Ori gaming series consists of a couple of platform-adventure Metroidvania developed by Moon Studios and produced by Microsoft Studios. Following a successful reception of the first installment in the Ori series, Ori and the Blind Forest, Moon Studios released a direct sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, concluding the series sooner than fans would’ve expected.
Although the franchise is devoid of numerous games, its fan-following amongst platformer lovers is huge. One of the biggest reasons behind the Ori series being an instant hit is that it was inspired by The Lion King and The Iron Giant, while parts of its gameplay are based on the Rayman and Metroid franchises.
Regardless, even in this day and age, players keep returning to this timeless classic. And although the Ori series only consists of two games, players have difficulty deciding which game to start first. Moreover, this confusion can further increase as the chronological order and release order to play the Ori series are identical.
Here’s more about how you can play the Ori series in order.
1. The Chronological Order to Play the Ori Series
With the series containing merely two installments and one being a direct sequel to the other, the chronological order to play the Ori series is pretty straightforward. Consider playing the Ori series in the below-mentioned chronological order if you want to keep track of Ori’s story the way the developers intended it.
- Ori and the Blind Forest/ Ori and the Blind Forest: Definite Edition
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
2. The Release Order to Play the Ori Series
The release order to play the Ori series is exactly the same as the chronological order to play the franchise. Furthermore, since there’s a gap of almost five years between the development of both games in the Ori series, the graphical differences due to technological advancements are noticeable.
Hence, you should play the Ori series in the below-mentioned release order if you want to relish the gradual jump in in-game features, graphics, art, and direction.
- Ori and the Blind Forest/ Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition*
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
3. Which Ori game should you play first?
The Ori game you should play first depends on why you choose to explore this platform-adventure Metroidvania series. If you want to enjoy the entire storyline of the franchise, starting with the first installment, i.e., Ori and the Blind Forest, is the right thing to do.
You may miss a few references from the previous installment if you first play Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Also, you might receive a few spoilers, which may ruin Ori and the Blind Forest story-wise.
However, there’s no hard and fast rule about which Ori game you should play first. You’re free to start the series with Ori and the Will of the Wisps!
4. Do you need to play the Ori series in order?
No, you don’t need to play the Ori series in order because both the Ori games aren’t really connected. Ori and the Will of the Wisps start immediately after the epilogue of Ori and the Blind Forest. Once Ori and Ku fly to Niwen from Nibel in the first installment, the focus of the sequel shifts to the former.
As a result, players can treat both games as standalone, eliminating the need to play the Ori series in order. But again, if you’re a narrative geek, you must go about the series chronologically.
5. What is the difference between Ori and the Blind Forest and the definitive edition?
Ori and the Blind Forest and the definitive edition share the same storyline entirely. The latter possesses a few bug fixes, new abilities, and new areas. In addition, the definitive edition tells players more about Naru’s story than the basic edition.
On top of that, Ori and the Blind Forest Definitive Edition consists of more cells to find, more achievements to unlock, and introduces Steam trading cards.
Note: The new areas in Ori and the Blind Forest are Blackroots Burrow and Lost Groove. Besides, the new abilities you can equip in this edition are Dash and Light Burst.
6. Which Ori game is more difficult?
According to most players acquainted with the Ori series, Ori and the Blind Forest is much more challenging than Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Enemies killing you faster, an absence of auto-save, and a lack of fast travel render the series’ first installment more difficult.
Players argue that Ori and the Will of the Wisps is far more forgiving than the first installment and contains few in-game elements that can one-shot kill them. On the contrary, Ori and the Blind Forest is full of more resilient enemies that can kill you instantly.
7. Is Ori getting a third game?
Despite the series’ success, it’s unlikely fans will ever see a third game in the Ori franchise. Although Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps received praise from both players and critics alike, the Ori series has come to an unexpected halt as Moon Studios has side-lined it.
Presently, the developers, Moon Studios, have moved away from a long-standing partnership with Microsoft and Xbox. This is because they wanted Ori to roll out across all platforms and not remain platform-exclusive.
Even though this disassociation could imply a third Ori game underdevelopment, Moon Studio’s latest announcement hints at an action-RPG game. So, players may have to wait a while to play a new Ori game!
8. About Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a platform-adventure Metroidvania video game developed by Moon Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios.
It’s a direct sequel to 2015’s Ori and the Blind Forest and explores Ori’s true destiny by taking players on a journey to discover the mysteries beyond the forest of Nibel.
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